Polyguard Products, of Ennis, TX, has introduced TERM™ Particle Barrier to keep termites out of Texas homes, schools, and other sensitive structures.

TERM Particle Barrier is 100% sustainable. Texas pest control regulators class it as a “barrier”. EPA classes it as a “device”. The TERM Particle Barrier is the first and only non-pesticide termite treatment for existing structures available in Texas.

The TERM Particle Barrier concept is easy to understand. Tests by Polyguard and by Texas A&M have shown that the two most common termite species in Texas (Coptotermes formosanus and Reticulitermes flavipes) are unable to penetrate the quartz particles which make up the TERM Barrier. Particles in the barrier are exactly sized and sorted - they are too large for termites to move aside, and too small for termites to crawl between. Termites simply go elsewhere for their food.

The TERM Particle Barrier was developed by Bryan Springer, a Galveston area Pest Management Professional. After hearing how particle barriers were being used across Hawaii and Australia, Bryan set out to develop a barrier which would block the Coptotermes formosanus and Reticulitermes flavipes species in Texas. In 2005, after preliminary testing by Texas A&M, Bryan installed the new barrier on a number of termite infested homes along the Texas Gulf Coast. The field installations were successful. Further testing of the particle barrier by Texas A&M resulted in publication of a paper in September, 2013. TX A&M Particle Test

There are three common entry points in existing structures where the TERM Particle Barrier can block termites:

•Exposed perimeter area where soil meets vertical concrete.

•Bath traps, which are 1-2 ft 2 openings in slabs where termites enter directly from underneath the house.

•Plumbing penetrations, where water lines and drains enter the structure through the slab. Untreated penetrations usually have sufficient space between the pipes and concrete for termite entry from underneath.

There are other termite entry points besides perimeters, bath traps, and penetrations. However, treatment of these three areas with TERM Particle Barrier should, in most instances, significantly reduce any need for chemical treatment of the structure.

Polyguard's TERM™ Particle Barrier was developed by Bryan Springer, a Galveston area PMP, and tested by Texas A&M (Particle Barrier Test)

•In 2005, Bryan installed the Polyguard Particle Barrier on a number of infested Gulf Coast homes; as of December 2013, all are clear of termites.

•Particle barriers for termites have been standard building practice in Hawaii and Australia for over 25 years.

•The particles are sorted and sized to block the two dominant Texas termite species (Reticulitermes flavipes and Coptotermes formosanus). The sized particles are too big for the termites to move aside, and too small for termites to squeeze between.

INNOVATION BASED: Polyguard has over 25 active US and international patents. Through our history we have employed more technical people than sales people. Approximately 2/3 of Polyguard sales are innovations which Polyguard introduced to the market.

EMPLOYEE OWNED: Polyguard is 100% employee owned – 71% by our Employee Stock Ownership Plan, and 29% by individual full time employees. You should find Polyguard a pleasure to work with, because our people care more.

EXPECT MORE: We know of no other company whose sales have grown for 21 consecutive years (2014 is looking good to make it 22!). If you aren’t impressed with that, perhaps you will be when a real and helpful person answers your phone call.

SECOND – Polyguard Products has manufactured waterproofing products for structures since 1970

It began with a December 1999 proposal from Texas A&M’s Department of Urban and Structural to evaluate an early Polyguard sealant termite barrier concept. (TX A&M 2000 Report)

In 2004 a full scale (2172 sq. ft.) prototype was built (Case Study).

In 2005 long term (3 ½ years old) Texas A&M field trails were destroyed by Hurricane Rita. We had to start over after this bump.

In mid-2011 the 2nd set of long term field trials completed the necessary 5 years length. The TERM Barrier was concluded to have “100% efficacy”. (TX A&M 2011 Long Term Testing Report)

In 2013 Polyguard acquired the particle barrier technology from our friend Bryan Springer, the Galveston pest management professional who had developed it.

What is the TERM Sealant Barrier and how can it provide overall pest exclusion?

First, let’s define what Polyguard’s TERM Sealant Barrier does:

1.It STICKS, and remains stuck, to construction surfaces such as concrete, wood, metals..

2.It SEALS - not just insects, but also water, radioactive radon, and energy leaks.

TERM stands for Termites, Energy, Radon, Moisture. It is a barrier to all of these.

3.It STRETCHES. If a crevice or gap becomes enlarged by building movement, or by expansion or contraction of its components, the TERM Sealant Barrier will stretch over the enlarged gap, and it will remain sealed.

The animation below shows how TERM Sealant Barrier stretches.

TERM Sealant Barrier S-T-R-E-T-C-H-E-S

So a properly designed and constructed TERM Sealant Barrier will SEAL out all insects. And over the life of the structure, the elastomeric nature of TERM Sealant will allow it to STRETCH and continue to seal the gaps and crevices caused by normal movement within the structure.

If you are building, here is the next step

If you are interested in having TERM Barrier Systems built into your new building, ask your architect about Polyguard’s TERM. Since we are just introducing the TERM Barriers to the architectural community, your architect may need more information. A call or email to Polyguard (Contact Us) will alert us to familiarize your architect with the TERM Barrier Systems. Your architect can view www.PolyguardBarriers.com for detailed information.

NEW CONSTRUCTION

Are You Thinking of Building?

If you are planning a new home, school, or other structure, ask your architect about Polyguard TERM Sealant Barriers.

Residential home with TERM Barrier System Protection

Polyguard offers three levels of barriers for design into a building:

Tier 3 is a low cost termite barrier mostly consisting of TERM particle barriers, which block three of the most common termite entry points. (Exposed perimeter, bath traps, and plumbing penetrations.)

Tier 2 and Tier 1 TERM Barrier Systems block almost every pest from entry under the structure or through the walls. This protection comes from the TERM Sealant Barrier, with the TERM Particle Barrier supplementing the sealant barrier.

The 2172 sq. ft. residence seen in the photo on the left was built in 2004 using Polyguard’s Tier 1 TERM Barrier. In 2014, after ten years, the only pests ever found in the home have been wasps, which apparently entered down the chimney. (Case Study)

The remainder of the Tier 2 TERM Barrier is 100% sealant and is installed by the regular construction trades.

To use the Tier 2, flooring must be ceramic tile, wood, or laminate.

Cost Moderate

Pest Reduction

This barrier should block invasion by all pests which enter from underneath the slab or through the walls.

Pesticide Impact

During construction, you should be able to eliminate most or all of the preconstruction pesticide pretreatment which has been required until now on most Texas construction. Your local building official has the authority to make that decision.

During the life of the structure, the long lasting TERM Sealant Barrier should drastically reduce pest invasion, and thus the need for pesticides.

Moisture Protection The above slab horizontal TERM Sealant Barrier will also serve as a moisture barrier.

Below grade TERM Sealant Barriers are installed by a Polyguard certified waterproofing applicator.

The remainder of the TERM Barrier is installed by the regular construction trades.

Cost Moderate (If full underslab waterproofing is currently being specified.

Premium (If a simple vapor barrier is currently specified for underslab protection)

Pest Reduction

This barrier should block invasion by almost all pests which enter from underneath the slab and foundation or through the walls.

Pestacide Impact

During construction, you should be able eliminate most or all of the preconstruction pesticide pretreatment which has been required until now on most Texas construction. Your local building official has the authority to make that decision.

During the life of the structure, the long lasting TERM Sealant Barrier should dramatically reduce the need for treatment with pesticides.